The project “BEYOND – Business Enabling Environment for Youth Employment” has delivered important results in advancing new technologies, strengthening cooperation between research teams and companies, and supporting young innovators in the cross-border region.
As part of the project, two robotic hands were procured for the secondary vocational schools in Nikšić and Priboj, giving students and professors the opportunity—for the first time—to apply their theoretical knowledge of robotics through practical, hands-on training.
The school in Priboj was visited by Mr Konstantinos Soupilas, Programme Manager of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, who, together with School Director Mr Zvonko Prijović, representatives of the Regional Development Agency Zlatibor, and the JTS of the Programme, toured the institution and the newly acquired equipment. 
The project introduces an innovative model of education for students in the fields of mechatronics and robotics, significantly contributing to the modernization of the dual education system. Several VET schools from the region—Nova Varoš, Prijepolje, and Pljevlja—have also participated in capacity-building activities and will benefit from the equipment for practical training.
Activities further include the enhancement of technical school capacities, curriculum development, and the use of Technopolis Nikšić as a cross-border infrastructure hub for training unemployed persons in line with metal industry needs. The project also stimulates the startup and innovation ecosystem through startup weeks, hackathons, and meet-ups targeting young people from the region.
A dedicated mentorship platform has been created to provide continuous support to emerging startups and innovative enterprises.
The project was successfully implemented by the Regional Development Agency Zlatibor, the Innovation and Innovation and entrepreneurship center Tehnopolis and the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro within the Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Serbia-Montenegro 2014-2020.
